The contribution of professional youth work to the development of socially vulnerable youngsters: A multiple case study

Jeremy Rijnders,Tine Van Regenmortel,René Schalk,Judith Metz,Jolanda Sonneveld

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105476

Abstract

The central question in this study is how, for whom, and under which conditions professional youth work contributes to the personal development of socially vulnerable youngsters, the reinforcement of their social network, the enhancement of their social participation, and the timely finding of appropriate specialized care services in relation to contextual factors such as life events and the influence of significant others. This research used a multiple case study with a comparative design. During a 12-month period, youth workers (N = 20) participated in group intervision meetings and kept diaries reporting on their actions and the development of the youngsters (N = 23). An analysis of this data revealed four patterns of development of socially vulnerable youngsters in youth work settings. Each pattern consisted of a specific form of multi-methodic action that resulted in a specific outcome. The study also revealed how these processes of development are influenced by important life events and significant others. The findings suggest that youth work contributes to personal development and social participation and thereby may lessen the need for formal social care services.

Highlights

Scientific evidence on the impact of Dutch professional youth work as a universal welfare provision is urgently needed. This is due to the increasing dominance of evidence-based policy on the national and international levels, which places an emphasis on measurement and outcomes (De St Croix, 2018; McGregor, 2015), and because youth policy makers and social work practice within Western welfare states are paying increasing attention to how professional youth work contributes to the personal development and social participation of youngsters, preventing social and health problems (Dunne, Ulicna, Murphy, & Golubeva, 2014; Fish, 2014) and reducing the growing number of young people in social care institutions (CBS, 2020)
Each process of interaction between a youth worker and a youngster was unique in itself, comparative analysis revealed shared patterns that provided insight into how, for whom, and under which conditions a multi-methodic approach contributed to the intended personal development of the youngster
Each pattern identified refers to a specific area of development which was facilitated by the youth worker using a specific form of multi-methodic action that resulted in a specific outcome

Summary

Introduction

Scientific evidence on the impact of Dutch professional youth work as a universal welfare provision is urgently needed. This is due to the increasing dominance of evidence-based policy on the national and international levels, which places an emphasis on measurement and outcomes (De St Croix, 2018; McGregor, 2015), and because youth policy makers and social work practice within Western welfare states are paying increasing attention to how professional youth work contributes to the personal development and social participation of youngsters, preventing social and (mental) health problems (Dunne, Ulicna, Murphy, & Golubeva, 2014; Fish, 2014) and reducing the growing number of young people in social care institutions (CBS, 2020). Youth workers identify the problems and needs of youngsters, provide early intervention support for personal or social problems, create experimental learning opportunities, support young people to reinforce their social network, encourage youngsters to par ticipate in society, and play an essential role in the preemptive sign posting of youngsters, directing them toward appropriate specialized care services if needed (Clarijs & Migchielsen, 2016; Coulston, 2010; Fyfe, Biggs, Hunter, McAteer, & Milne, 2018)

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